A Slayers' Wish
Chapter: Seven
Unexpected Journey
Willow and Xander sat in the Roman airport terminal nervously waiting for flight 763 to arrive from Los Angeles. They were all ecstatic when they herd the good news from Buffy over the phone. Xander had just stepped out of the shower when the life-changing phone call came in. Willow looked at her friend and ally and remarked with an excited grin. "I really hope that Angel and Buffy don't get lost in the large crowd of tourists and locals. This place seems to be busy tonight."
Xander shook his head and replied apprehensively, "Oh, I'm sure that dead boy won't have any trouble." Willow sighed and replied soberly. "Xander, Angel's not dead anymore. He's human now. I want you to be nice to Angel, and make him feel at home. There are many changes he'll have to adjust to. He'll need his friends around him." Xander sat back in his chair and reminded her seriously, "Angel and I were never friends."
Willow was about to reply, when the sight of Angel and Buffy walking towards them carrying suitcases suddenly stopped her. The ex-vampire and the slayer looked so happy together. The scene almost seemed surreal to the young witch. Willow walked up to the happy couple and said, as she hugged Angel tightly. "Welcome to Rome, Angel. How was your flight?"
The ex-vampire smiled and replied timidly, "It was pretty good. I think it'll take me a while to get over the jet-lag though." Willow nodded and said sympathetically. "That's what happens when you decide to go by air instead of cruise ship. Xander and I are both very happy for you." Xander got to his feet and announced calmly. "Our S.U.V.'s out in the back parking lot. Follow me."
Buffy and Angel looked at each other lovingly and then followed Willow and Xander out of the airport. The parking lot outside was strangely quiet and barren. As they started walking towards the sports vehicle, when a blacked out car suddenly appeared from out of nowhere and moved towards them at terrifying speed.
After a few seconds, one of the windows of the dark blue dodge suddenly opened and a protruding M16 started firing at them. Both Xander and Willow threw themselves to the ground to dodge the spraying bullets. In turn, Buffy pushed Angel down to the concrete and protectively covered his body with hers. After a few seconds, the blacked out car sped away from them and disappeared into the distance.
Willow and Xander got back to their feet, while Buffy helped Angel back to his." Xander dusted himself down and said accusingly. "Well that was utterly non-typical. What in the hell was all that about, Angel?" Before Angel could reply, Willow roughly punched Xander in his upper arm and growled angrily. "I told you to be nice, Xander. Angel can't help it that he has enemies. If you don't behave, I'm going to turn you into a six eyed hamster."
Everybody looked at her in surprise. Willow smiled and added jokingly. "It sounded good, didn't it?" Buffy turned to Angel and asked hopefully. "Are you going to be all right?" Angel nodded and replied shakily, "Yes, I think so. I know don't know what that was about Xander. Who ever that was must have a really have a pissed off boss." "Yah think?" Xander inquired sarcastically and then led the way to the S U V with the others following him in grim silence.
Back at the law offices of Wolfram & Hart, Wesley walked down the hall heading towards his office, when Lorne stopped him and said urgently. "Wesley, you and need to have a serious talk about Angel." Wesley looked at the Empathy Demon and asked bewilderedly. "What is it, Lorne? What's the matter?" Lorne cleared his throat and replied seriously. "Let's go to your office where there's a lot more privacy, shall we?" Wesley nodded and said calmly, "All right, Lorne. Follow me."
After a five-minute walk down the hall, the ex-watcher and his demon friend entered the office and shut the door. "So, what seems to be the problem?" Wesley inquired wonderingly, as he sat down in the chair behind his desk. Lorne took a deep calming breath and replied fearfully. "We need to get Angel back to L.A. immediately. I just heard through the mystic grapevine that he has a whole gang of demons scoping for him. Mind you, Wes. I'm not talking about the kind of demons that will just give up easily. My source thinks they're going to kill him, but I think their intentions are far more devious than that."
Wesley looked at his supernatural friend in shock and asked curiously. "What do you mean?" "My source also told of rumors that a very ancient and evil demon overlord will be coming to town from an extremely brutal hell dimension. I have a feeling that this hell dimension is the exact same one that Buffy sent Angel to when he was living back in Sunnydale. I think these demons are going to try and take Angel with him when he goes back home." "How brutal is this hell dimension?" A familiar voice asked in a voice that was unnaturally calm.
Wesley and Lorne turned their heads and were surprised to find Spike standing by the door. Lorne sat down on the sofa and replied gravely. "It's just about on the same level as quor toth." Spike nodded and remarked reminiscently. "It's no wonder why broody boy was nearly insane, when he came back to Sunnydale. I can get him back here for you, mate." "Spike, I hadn't realized how much you truly care about him. We would appreciate any help that you could give us in this matter." Spike smiled and was about to reply, when Gunn walked into the office and asked wonderingly. "Hey. What's up?"
Spike looked at the young mortal and replied seriously. "Well, Charlie boy. It looks like you and I have to go to Rome and bring old broody pants back to L.A. He's in terrible danger." Gunn smiled and replied eagerly. "No problem, dog. I've been itching for a good demonic fight." Lorne turned to Charles and told him the whole story. Later that day, Spike and Gunn took off in Angels' private jet and headed to Rome.
It was late at night, when Buffys midnight blue S U V pulled into the driveway of the Slayers' recently purchased two-story country villa. Everyone got out of the car. Buffy looked at her boyfriend and asked as they started walking up to the front door. "Angel, are you sure you're all right?" The ex-vampire nodded and replied with a cheerful smile. "Yes. I'm doing pretty well, so far."
The young Slayer pulled her house keys out of her pocket with her free hand and remarked as she unlocked the door. "I don't want you to take that healing potion until I've gotten you all settled in. From what I was told by your friends, I want to keep a close eye on you for a while." Angel nodded silently. Everybody walked into the house and Willow turned on the lights.
Angel looked around him and said in amazement. "This's a beautiful place you've got here, Buffy. Where are the others?" Buffy grinned and replied joyfully, as she placed Angels' suite case on the floor beside the large green sofa. "Thank you. The others are at a popular nightclub down town. I'll take you down there once I know for sure that you're strong enough."
Willow sat down on the sofa and remarked happily. "I'm so glad that the whole gang's finally back together. It'll be just like old times." "Except for the fact that Angel can't go patrolling with us now." Xander replied matter-of- factly. Buffy nodded and announced sincerely. "I won't be patrolling either for a while. I want to make sure that Angel's going to be ok." Willow smiled and replied understandingly. "That makes sense."
Buffy turned back to Angel and said, as she took him by the hand. "Come on, lover. Let go upstairs and get you settled in." Angel smiled, got to his feet, and followed his girl friend up the stairs leaving Willow and Xander staring at their retreating figures in awe.
Writers Note: I know that it taken me a while to update this story, but I've been extremely busy lately. I hope you like this new chapter. Chapter 8 will be coming shortly.